GRAHAM – The No. 8 Brownwood Lions left eight base runners stranded as their 11-game win streak came to an end with a 2-1 loss to the Graham Steers Tuesday night, their first setback in District 6-4A action.
The lead for Brownwood (17-5-1, 6-1) in the 6-4A standings stands at 1.5 games over second-place Stephenville (15-7-1, 4-2) – defeated Wichita Falls, 11-1, in non-district action Tuesday – and two games over third-place Graham (11-9, 4-3).
The Lions conclude their three-game District 6-4A set with Graham at Morris Southall Field at 7 p.m. Friday.
In Tuesday’s contest, Graham scored both its runs in the bottom of the third inning of Brownwood pitcher Gavin Brandstetter – who surrendered two earned runs on a pair of hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks. The Lion defense committed three errors behind him.
Graham’s third inning featured a lead-off double by Tripp Mahaney, then Ryder Taylor was hit by a pitch with one out. With two down, Tate Loesch came through with a two-RBI triple to center field for all the runs the Steers would need.
The Lions drew six walks and were aided by a trio of Steer errors, but were limited to a pair of hits by Taylor and Harison Brockaway – singles by Logan Posey and Antonio Ybarra.
Brownwood notched its lone run in the top of the sixth inning as Brandstetter walked to start the frame, Jack Field drew a one-out walk, and Austin Pittman reached on an error to load the bases with one down. Austin Pittman followed with a sacrifice to score Brandstetter, but the rally ended there.
In the top of the seventh, Ybarra led off with a single but the Lions did no more damage.
The Lions left a runner on third in the first inning as Jordyn Nickerson walked and David Turner reached on a bunt an error, but Brandstetter hit into a double play and Posey was retired.
Brownwood went down in order in the second and third innings, then in the fourth Turner reached on a lead-off walk and Posey followed with a one-out single. Field drew a free pass to fill the sacks with one out. Turner was later picked off third for the second out but Pittman walked to again load the bases, but all three runners were left stranded.
Then in the fifth inning, Eli Hill reached on a lead-off error and Ybarra walked, but the inning ended with a Turner double play ball.
In other District 6-4A action Tuesday night, Mineral Wells edged Glen Rose, 1-0.
Mineral Wells is now 5-12-1 and 2-5 in district, while Glen Rose tumbled to 13-10 and 0-5 in league play.